Analyzing Moral Issues combines the appeal and strengths of the moral problems approach with a solid foundation in moral theory and moral reasoning. In addition to providing an overview of some of the major moral issues in our society, this text/reader gives readers the hands-on skills necessary to recognize and analyze moral arguments, and introduces them to both Western and non-Western moral theories.

New to This Edition :

Based on user feedback, the second edition contains more court cases and material on environmental ethics. The readings are more judiciously edited.

Discussion of moral theory has been expanded to include natural law theories (see Chapter 1).

Chapter 4, "Genetic Engineering and Cloning," has been updated and revised to reflect the latest developments. It includes 4 new readings.

A total of 12 new readings have been added.

Features :

The text covers a broad range of ethical perspectives, including virtue ethics (Aristotelean and Confucian), Buddhist and feminist care ethics, and Rawlsian and communitarian approaches.

Chapter Two introduces moral reasoning and shows readers how to apply the principles to a specific philosophical reading: Judith Jarvis Thomson's "A Defense of Abortion."

Substantial chapter introductions provide students with the basic information necessary to understand the issues in the readings.

Students apply critical thinking and reading skills within the critical thinking framework surrounding each article, and when examining the numerous cases following each chapter.

The author encourages students to consider the range of ethical theories in thinking through moral situations.

"Writing a Paper in Moral Philosophy" and "Debating a Moral Issue" appendices conclude the text.

Author Bio

Boss, Judith : Brown University

Part I. Introduction to Moral Philosophy 1. Moral Theory

Moral Philosophy What Is the Purpose of Moral Theories? The Types of Moral Theories Relativism in Ethics Moving Beyond Ethical Relativism Moral Theory and Praxis Morality and Religion Universality and Religious Ethics Universal Moral Theories Natural Law Theory Utilitarianism Deontology: The Ethics of Duty Rights-Based Ethics Virtue Ethics Conclusion Aristotle, from Nicomachean Ethics Thomas Aquinas, from Summa Theologica *John Stuart Mill, from Utilitarianism Immanuel Kant, from Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Ethics John Rawls, from A Theory of Justice John Locke, Two Treatises of Civil Government Ayn Rand, "Man"s Rights" Nel Noddings, from Caring: A Feminine Approach to Ethics and Moral Education Confucius, from The Analects P. Don Premasiri, "The Relevance of the Noble Eightfold Path to Contemporary Society"

Background The History of Abortion in the United States The U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade Decision Abortion and Religion Stages of Fetal Development Methods of Abortion The Moral Issues Can the Abortion Controversy Ever Be Resolved? Judith Jarvis Thomson, "A Defense of Abortion" John T. Noonan Jr., "An Almost Absolute Value in History" Mary Anne Warren, "The Moral Significance of Birth¿ *Don Marquis, "Why Abortion is Immoral¿ Judith A. Boss, "Pro-Child/Pro-Choice: An Exercise in Doublethink?" Case Studies

4. Genetic Engineering and Cloning

The History of Genetic Engineering The Human Genome Project Cloning and Genetic Engineering Moral Issues of Genetic Engineering and Cloning Resolving the Debate Over Genetic Engineering and Cloning *Matt Ridley, "The New Eugenics" *W. French Andersen, "Genetics and Human Malleability" John A. Robertson, "The Question of Human Cloning¿ Leon Kass, "The Wisdom of Repugnance: Why We Should Ban the Cloning of Humans" *Lori Andrews and Dorothy Nelkins, "Whose Body Is It Anyway? Dispute Over Body Tissue in a Biotechnology Age." *Richard Seed, "Human Clones for Sale"

5. Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

What Is Euthanasia? The Philosophers on Euthanasia The Contemporary Debate over Euthanasia Euthanasia Legislation Physician-Assisted Suicide The Hospice Movement The Moral Issues Can The Euthanasia Issue Be Resolved? James Rachels, "Active and Passive Euthanasia" Margaret Pabst Battin, "The Case for Euthanasia" Daniel Callahan, "'Aid-in-Dying': The Social Dimensions" John Hardwig, ¿Is There a Duty to Die?¿ Susan M. Wolf, "A Feminist Critique of Physician-Assisted Suicide" Case Studies

6. Punishment and the Death Penalty

History of the Death Penalty The Death Penalty Today The Death Penalty and Juvenile Offenders The Medicalization of Executions The Philosophers on the Death Penalty Moral Issues Conclusion Ernest Van Den Haag, "The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense of Capital Punishment" Christopher W. Morris, ¿Punishment and Loss of Moral Standing¿ Hugo Adam Bedau, "Capital Punishment" *Jeffrey Reiman, "Why the Death Penalty Should be Abolished" Helen Prejean, Dead Man Walking Case Studies

7. Drug and Alcohol Use

What Is a Drug? The History of Drug and Alcohol Use Legal and Illegal Drugs Drug and Alcohol Use Today Drug and Alcohol Use Among College Students Drug in Sports The Disease Model of Addiction The Moral Model of Addiction The Philosophers on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Moral Issues / Conclusion Thomas Szasz, "The Ethics of Addiction" James Q. Wilson, "Against the Legalization of Drugs" Douglas N. Husak, ¿A Moral Right to Use Drugs¿ Thomas H. Murrary, "Drugs, Sports, and Ethics" Case Studies

What Is "Freedom of Speech"? Limitations on Freedom of Speech The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Freedom of Speech in Cyberspace Hate Speech as Protected Speech Speech Codes on College Campuses The Philosophers on Freedom of Speech Moral Issues Conclusion Charles R. Lawrence III, "If He Hollers Let Him Go: Regulating Racist Speech on Campus" Jonathan Rauch, "In Defense of Prejudice: Why Incendiary Speech Must Be Protected" John Taylor, "Are You Politically Correct?" Alan M. Dershowitz, "Political Correctness, Speech Codes, and Diversity" *Cass R. Sunstein, "The First Amendment in Cyberspace" Case Studies

Analyzing Moral Issues combines the appeal and strengths of the moral problems approach with a solid foundation in moral theory and moral reasoning. In addition to providing an overview of some of the major moral issues in our society, this text/reader gives readers the hands-on skills necessary to recognize and analyze moral arguments, and introduces them to both Western and non-Western moral theories.

New to This Edition :

Based on user feedback, the second edition contains more court cases and material on environmental ethics. The readings are more judiciously edited.

Discussion of moral theory has been expanded to include natural law theories (see Chapter 1).

Chapter 4, "Genetic Engineering and Cloning," has been updated and revised to reflect the latest developments. It includes 4 new readings.

A total of 12 new readings have been added.

Features :

The text covers a broad range of ethical perspectives, including virtue ethics (Aristotelean and Confucian), Buddhist and feminist care ethics, and Rawlsian and communitarian approaches.

Chapter Two introduces moral reasoning and shows readers how to apply the principles to a specific philosophical reading: Judith Jarvis Thomson's "A Defense of Abortion."

Substantial chapter introductions provide students with the basic information necessary to understand the issues in the readings.

Students apply critical thinking and reading skills within the critical thinking framework surrounding each article, and when examining the numerous cases following each chapter.

The author encourages students to consider the range of ethical theories in thinking through moral situations.

"Writing a Paper in Moral Philosophy" and "Debating a Moral Issue" appendices conclude the text.

Author Bio

Boss, Judith : Brown University

Table of Contents

Part I. Introduction to Moral Philosophy 1. Moral Theory

Moral Philosophy What Is the Purpose of Moral Theories? The Types of Moral Theories Relativism in Ethics Moving Beyond Ethical Relativism Moral Theory and Praxis Morality and Religion Universality and Religious Ethics Universal Moral Theories Natural Law Theory Utilitarianism Deontology: The Ethics of Duty Rights-Based Ethics Virtue Ethics Conclusion Aristotle, from Nicomachean Ethics Thomas Aquinas, from Summa Theologica *John Stuart Mill, from Utilitarianism Immanuel Kant, from Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Ethics John Rawls, from A Theory of Justice John Locke, Two Treatises of Civil Government Ayn Rand, "Man"s Rights" Nel Noddings, from Caring: A Feminine Approach to Ethics and Moral Education Confucius, from The Analects P. Don Premasiri, "The Relevance of the Noble Eightfold Path to Contemporary Society"

Background The History of Abortion in the United States The U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade Decision Abortion and Religion Stages of Fetal Development Methods of Abortion The Moral Issues Can the Abortion Controversy Ever Be Resolved? Judith Jarvis Thomson, "A Defense of Abortion" John T. Noonan Jr., "An Almost Absolute Value in History" Mary Anne Warren, "The Moral Significance of Birth¿ *Don Marquis, "Why Abortion is Immoral¿ Judith A. Boss, "Pro-Child/Pro-Choice: An Exercise in Doublethink?" Case Studies

4. Genetic Engineering and Cloning

The History of Genetic Engineering The Human Genome Project Cloning and Genetic Engineering Moral Issues of Genetic Engineering and Cloning Resolving the Debate Over Genetic Engineering and Cloning *Matt Ridley, "The New Eugenics" *W. French Andersen, "Genetics and Human Malleability" John A. Robertson, "The Question of Human Cloning¿ Leon Kass, "The Wisdom of Repugnance: Why We Should Ban the Cloning of Humans" *Lori Andrews and Dorothy Nelkins, "Whose Body Is It Anyway? Dispute Over Body Tissue in a Biotechnology Age." *Richard Seed, "Human Clones for Sale"

5. Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

What Is Euthanasia? The Philosophers on Euthanasia The Contemporary Debate over Euthanasia Euthanasia Legislation Physician-Assisted Suicide The Hospice Movement The Moral Issues Can The Euthanasia Issue Be Resolved? James Rachels, "Active and Passive Euthanasia" Margaret Pabst Battin, "The Case for Euthanasia" Daniel Callahan, "'Aid-in-Dying': The Social Dimensions" John Hardwig, ¿Is There a Duty to Die?¿ Susan M. Wolf, "A Feminist Critique of Physician-Assisted Suicide" Case Studies

6. Punishment and the Death Penalty

History of the Death Penalty The Death Penalty Today The Death Penalty and Juvenile Offenders The Medicalization of Executions The Philosophers on the Death Penalty Moral Issues Conclusion Ernest Van Den Haag, "The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense of Capital Punishment" Christopher W. Morris, ¿Punishment and Loss of Moral Standing¿ Hugo Adam Bedau, "Capital Punishment" *Jeffrey Reiman, "Why the Death Penalty Should be Abolished" Helen Prejean, Dead Man Walking Case Studies

7. Drug and Alcohol Use

What Is a Drug? The History of Drug and Alcohol Use Legal and Illegal Drugs Drug and Alcohol Use Today Drug and Alcohol Use Among College Students Drug in Sports The Disease Model of Addiction The Moral Model of Addiction The Philosophers on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Moral Issues / Conclusion Thomas Szasz, "The Ethics of Addiction" James Q. Wilson, "Against the Legalization of Drugs" Douglas N. Husak, ¿A Moral Right to Use Drugs¿ Thomas H. Murrary, "Drugs, Sports, and Ethics" Case Studies

What Is "Freedom of Speech"? Limitations on Freedom of Speech The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Freedom of Speech in Cyberspace Hate Speech as Protected Speech Speech Codes on College Campuses The Philosophers on Freedom of Speech Moral Issues Conclusion Charles R. Lawrence III, "If He Hollers Let Him Go: Regulating Racist Speech on Campus" Jonathan Rauch, "In Defense of Prejudice: Why Incendiary Speech Must Be Protected" John Taylor, "Are You Politically Correct?" Alan M. Dershowitz, "Political Correctness, Speech Codes, and Diversity" *Cass R. Sunstein, "The First Amendment in Cyberspace" Case Studies